D'Amaro won't take on Johnson

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Forget Suffolk Legis. Louis D’Amaro as an opponent to veteran Republican State Sen. Owen Johnson -- at least for this year.

The three-term Democratic lawmaker, who had been weighing a run, said that given the county’s ongoing financial problems and the volatility of the electorate it is not the right year to take on Johnson, a 38 year GOP Sena te incumbent. Sources say that Suffolk Democratic Chairman Richard Schaffer and Conservative Party Chairman Edward Walsh have been cold to the idea. D'Amaro had Conservative backing in his last legislative contest.

D’Amaro, a lawyer from North Babylon who won with 66 percent of the vote in his last election, said there will be “plenty of opportunity” down the road to run. But right now, “I think it's important for me to remain in Suffolk County and the county legislature.”

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